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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brussels attacks: What happened? Everything we know about the bombings in Belgium so far | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw has said that the three explosions in the Belgian capital – two at Brussels Airport and one at Maalbeek Metro Station – were “terrorist attacks”. At least one of the blasts at the airport is likely to have been carried out by a suicide bomber. | The Belgian federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw has said that the three explosions in the Belgian capital – two at Brussels Airport and one at Maalbeek Metro Station – were “terrorist attacks”. At least one of the blasts at the airport is likely to have been carried out by a suicide bomber. |
| At least 20 people have been killed in the attacks and many more have been injured. Brussels is on lockdown and the terror alert level has been raised to its highest. Security across Europe has been tightened. | At least 20 people have been killed in the attacks and many more have been injured. Brussels is on lockdown and the terror alert level has been raised to its highest. Security across Europe has been tightened. |
| No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. | No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. |
| Here is what we know so far: | Here is what we know so far: |
| Brussels Airport | Brussels Airport |
| Shortly after 8am, two explosions were heard minutes apart in the departure hall of the airport. One reportedly took place near the American Airlines check-in area, and another near the Brussels Airlines desk. | Shortly after 8am, two explosions were heard minutes apart in the departure hall of the airport. One reportedly took place near the American Airlines check-in area, and another near the Brussels Airlines desk. |
| Belgian media reported that at least 13 people had died and 35 people had been injured. | Belgian media reported that at least 13 people had died and 35 people had been injured. |
| People could be seen fleeing the airport as smoke rose from the terminal building. | People could be seen fleeing the airport as smoke rose from the terminal building. |
| Officials have urged people to stay away from the airport. | Officials have urged people to stay away from the airport. |
| Brussels Airport has also told people to avoid the area, and it has cancelled all flights. It is expected to stay closed until about 6am on Wednesday. | Brussels Airport has also told people to avoid the area, and it has cancelled all flights. It is expected to stay closed until about 6am on Wednesday. |
| Maalbeek Metro station | Maalbeek Metro station |
| About 30 minutes after the airport blasts, there was an explosion at Maalbeek Metro station. | About 30 minutes after the airport blasts, there was an explosion at Maalbeek Metro station. |
| Guy Sablon, a Brussels transit spokesman, said 15 people had lost their lives in this attack and a further 55 had been injured. | Guy Sablon, a Brussels transit spokesman, said 15 people had lost their lives in this attack and a further 55 had been injured. |
| The entire Metro system in Brussels has been shut down. | The entire Metro system in Brussels has been shut down. |
| Reaction | Reaction |
| Eurostar has suspended its services to Brussels-Midi station | Eurostar has suspended its services to Brussels-Midi station |
| The European Commission has told people to stay at home or inside buildings. All EU institutions are on alert level orange. | The European Commission has told people to stay at home or inside buildings. All EU institutions are on alert level orange. |
| The Facebook "safety check" system has been activated. | The Facebook "safety check" system has been activated. |
| Phone networks in Belgium crash as people attempt to contact their friends and loved ones. | Phone networks in Belgium crash as people attempt to contact their friends and loved ones. |
| Charles Michel, the Prime Minister of Belgium, has condemned the "hateful attacks". | Charles Michel, the Prime Minister of Belgium, has condemned the "hateful attacks". |
| David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, will be holding a COBRA meeting following the attacks in Brussels. | David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, will be holding a COBRA meeting following the attacks in Brussels. |
| Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Belgium had again been "hit by cowardly and murderous attacks". | Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Belgium had again been "hit by cowardly and murderous attacks". |
| Heiko Maas, Germany's justice minister, said today was "a black day for Europe". | Heiko Maas, Germany's justice minister, said today was "a black day for Europe". |
| Belgium's national football team cancelled their morning training session following the explosions. | Belgium's national football team cancelled their morning training session following the explosions. |